4th Annual BYC NYD Hatch-a-long

[cochins1088]

Bahh I don't know what to do, I want a small incubator and a cheap one for my first time so I was gonna get a chickabator or a mini dome. But now people are telling me it's bad and I don't know what else to buy so then I saw another small one for over 100 dollars and I can't afford that right now and now I find one for 50 dollars except it's bigger than I need and I still need to buy christmas presents but I really wanna participate in the hatch-a-long. AHHH I NEEED HELP!

I'd recommend the hova bator model 1602N, I got mine for $35 and it works great! I usually get 90% hatch rates. It may be a bit bigger than what you are looking for, but it's about as cheap as you can get if you want something that works. And just because the hova bator holds 40 eggs, doesn't mean you need to put 40 in. I have added as little as 8 eggs with no problem, but sometimes if hatching less, you need to add mass such as jars filled with water. Oh, and I've used mine about 3 times a year for 5 years and it's still in great condition. Don't settle for the chickbator or mini dome, it would probably end in dissapointment.

You could also try making your own, but I don't trust myself with electricity, especially when their are lives at stake.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

I'm game, sounds fun. can someone explain it to me, I've never done a hatch along before, so I don't know what I do next

Welcome!! First things first, line up your hatching eggs. There is a buy/sell area on BYC specifically for hatching eggs. You could try e-bay too, but I trust BYC. Have eggs that are mailed to you a day or 2 before set day (Dec 11) so they can settle and heal any problematic air-cells.

If you don't have an incubator, buy one, borrow one, or make one. Have it at the very least 2-3 days ahead of time so you can get your temperature all squared away.

Go back to the first post on this thread (often for updates and answers to questions you may have). Come back to this thread daily, read, learn, LAUGH and help people who are beside themselves with worry. Know that when you are beside yourself, you can post questions here and someone will help you out.

SIGN UP, and have fun!

 

[kizanne]

well I've been reading to keep up but I think I'll mark my place to make it easier tomorrow to find where I left off.

I might be out for New Years. My daughter wanted more silkies for X-mas so 24+ eggs should be here on Wednesday. I don't know if I'll really need any more after the 90+ eggs/chicks I"m incubating and hatching now. I plan to sell a few of my mixes on craigslist but unless I get rid of some I won't have brooder space for more. I'll keep you posted.

Sounds like everyone is having fun though and the thing hasn't even started yet.

 

[mamawolf544]

This is always so much fun to do.

 

[cluck-cluck]

I'm game, sounds fun. can someone explain it to me, I've never done a hatch along before, so I don't know what I do next

What we do, is talk a lot on the thread, LOL, and get some hatching eggs then set them at noon on the day required for a New Years Day hatch, so for Chickens, it's December 11th (I think) There are all kinds of bird eggs you can hatchalong with, and the set dates are listed on the first post of this thread

You also want to sign up from the link on the first post, because you want to be counted in the total eggs set competition (and participate in it) When you sign up, they will get your name, but mrheinz won't be able to update the list (also linked on first post) very often. It's some kind of app that sends him your name, but he has to add your name to the official list manually. So don't worry if you don't see your name there right away, and don't worry if you submit several times, LOL, he's used to that

When we set our eggs, I *think* we take a picture and send in our number of eggs officially set, to mrheinz or something will be set up and we'll be given direction when the competition actually starts. Also, you'll want to try participating in all the other competitions listed on the linked pages, they're all for fun

Bahh I don't know what to do, I want a small incubator and a cheap one for my first time so I was gonna get a chickabator or a mini dome. But now people are telling me it's bad and I don't know what else to buy so then I saw another small one for over 100 dollars and I can't afford that right now and now I find one for 50 dollars except it's bigger than I need and I still need to buy christmas presents but I really wanna participate in the hatch-a-long. AHHH I NEEED HELP!

I think cochins1088 is right. Get the hovabator, making one costs almost as much, and I often see them on Craigslist for really cheap, cheaper than making one. Also, cochins1088 is right about thermal mass, put small jars of water throughout and you won't have much fluctuation in temp.

This is always so much fun to do.

Yah, stretching, especially in the morning, is really great!

Gets that blood going!!

 

[aka Rachel]

I have Scovies in now set to hatch right before Christmas. I'm gonna have Christmas Quackers

I am going to be setting my backyard mixes (hatchery barred rock, red sex link rooster, heavy red meatie and possibly chantecler if the wee buggers start laying). They're great layers, go broody and taste good and the roo's have an awesome temperament. I have two mature chanties, roo and a hen, but no eggs yet as they're just finishing up a molt brought on by the move, we just purchased them about 14 weeks ago. I have a bunch of baby chanties from a different line and they're about 14 weeks old or so.

I never really planned my hatches in the sense that I was timing when they would start to lay etc, but I spent a little time working it out, and chicks hatched around this time of year will start laying in spring and continue thru winter. I can butcher the hens then in the spring when my next batch start laying.

Normally hatching in the winter sucks because its almost impossible to keep chicks outside and warm, but I have a great set up that works well.

I'm very excited I've participated in the nyd hatches before a missed the new years baby by minutes!! lol. But I have a real life NYD baby who's turning 23

 

[msladyhawke]

Muscovy ARE ducks too, they are NOT mallard derived like all domestic ducks are. All domestic ducks take 28 days to hatch, call ducks can hatch early at 25 days and muscovy take 35. Most domestics dont fly well if at all, while muscovy can fly very well and have large claws for grasping perches such as tree limbs.

Thanks for the explanation. I was starting to get confused about Muscovy from all the different comments!

 

[coldupnorth]

I am going to be setting my backyard mixes (hatchery barred rock, red sex link rooster, heavy red meatie and possibly chantecler if the wee buggers start laying). They're great layers, go broody and taste good and the roo's have an awesome temperament. I have two mature chanties, roo and a hen, but no eggs yet as they're just finishing up a molt brought on by the move, we just purchased them about 14 weeks ago. I have a bunch of baby chanties from a different line and they're about 14 weeks old or so.

I never really planned my hatches in the sense that I was timing when they would start to lay etc, but I spent a little time working it out, and chicks hatched around this time of year will start laying in spring and continue thru winter. I can butcher the hens then in the spring when my next batch start laying.

Normally hatching in the winter sucks because its almost impossible to keep chicks outside and warm, but I have a great set up that works well.

I'm very excited I've participated in the nyd hatches before a missed the new years baby by minutes!! lol. But I have a real life NYD baby who's turning 23

You will have to tell us about your great set up for chicks in the Winter.

So Awesome that you have a real live NYD baby! Yay!

 

[kizanne]

My set up. Live in florida LOL. I still have to run a light but it makes it way easier to keep them warm.

 

[cmfarm]

I want to join! This will be my first. I have thought about it before but never did get eggs in the right time. I'm not sure about the breed or how many, I will work that out in time.